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Crash death woman jailed for eight years

A “CALLOUS and manipulative” woman who fled abroad after causing another woman’s death has been jailed for eight years.

Wiltshire Police have welcomed the sentence handed down to drug dealer’s wife Paula Barnes, 45, who was extradited from Holland after an intensive search involving the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

She was sentenced yesterday at Swindon Crown Court after admitting causing teacher Diane Wright’s death in a crash on September 23, 2010 in Baydon.

Barnes , of Aldbourne Road, Baydon, was given a further five months for bail offences and banned from driving for 10 years.

Insp Steve Cox, head of roads policing said the force was pleased with the sentence because it reflected the seriousness of the crime.

“We are pleased with today’s sentence as it reflects both the seriousness of these crimes and the anguish that Paula Barnes has put her victim’s family through. “Barnes has proved to be a callous and manipulative woman who thought she was above the law.”

He said: “This case has been a long and complex one after Barnes tried to evade justice by fleeing to Holland where she hoped to remain undetected.”

He paid tribute to the dedication of the serious collision team in bringing her to court and hoped the victim’s family felt justice had been served.

Barnes was arrested after being released from hospital on November 4, 2010 following the crash. She was bailed to be at court on April 15, 2011, but disappeared.

“After an intensive search involving the Zephyr Regional Financial Investigation Team and the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Barnes was arrested in Holland on November 9 2012 and we were successful at an extradition hearing which led to her being brought back to the UK,” he explained.